tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out
behind, headway over 1f out, soon every chance, led inside final furlong, driven out
chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on well
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly
held up, never dangerous
tracked leader, led over 2f out, led inside final furlong, no extra
If the figures are to be believed, RIVER KIROV has upwards of 11lbs in hand of his nearest rival and he's selected to score from Obe Gold and Great Knight. Michael Wigham's gelding has been out of sorts lately, but if returning to the form he showed towards the end of last year when placed in good handicaps off marks in the 70's he'd prove very hard to beat. Most of his best form is at this trip and Steve Drowne is a strong booking, so providing the horse is solid in the market he's well worth a bet. Obe Gold has been consistent in similar company of late, including over further than ideal, so with today's trip more to his liking this veteran sprinter rates the danger although on paper he's plenty to find. Similar comments apply to Great Knight who might be able to outrun his price if none the worse for a fall over hurdles last time. He won a course and distance handicap here in the summer and Chris Catlin's booking catches the eye, so perhaps the five-year-old can get the better of Charlie Delta in the predicted battle for third. Ron Harris' gelding has a bit to find with Obe Gold on recent running but can usually be relied upon to run a solid race and will probably attract a decent share of support for that reason. Equinity is weighted to beat both of those two on his effort in that race but he's yet to win on artificial surfaces and looks to be playing for places at best, Interchoice Star obtained his sole victory over course and distance but is up against it at the weights and Bentley has it all to do off top weight. His recent form figures may not inspire confidence but the weights do, so River Kirov is tipped to bounce back to form.
Charlie Delta 6-1 (9-6) Prominent until ridden and one pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 1 1/2l behind Obe Gold (9-6) at Lingfield 6f sell stks (6) in Dec.
Interchoice Star 9-2 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden inside final furlong, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Bishopbriggs (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Obe Gold 3-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 4, 1l behind Goodbye Cash (8-10) at Lingfield 7f sell stks (6) pol.
River Kirov (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 10th of 12, 7l behind Benandonner (9-0) at Lingfield 7f clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Spoof Master (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 6, 13l behind Obe Gold (9-4) at Southwell 6f sell stks (6) fbs.
Great Knight (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, not much room and lost place over 2f out, no impression when not much room inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 8l behind Bertie Southstreet (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Aug.
Equinity 10-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Diane's Choice (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Bentley 20-1 (8-8) Towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, stayed on final furlong, not troubled leaders, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Defector (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
